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June 2001
Ref no;OWR5005
Using water wisely
C U S T O M
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A T I O N
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C U S T O M
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Water Facts
We are committed to providing you, in
your home with all the water you want,
when you want it, whatever the weather,
whatever the time of day or year.
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s region benefits from
a combination of high annual rainfall and
landscape conditions which are favourable for water
storage. In a normal year we supply about 950 million litres of
water to our customers every day, though in hot dry summer weather, and freezing winter
(which can cause pipes to burst) this daily figure can rise to over 1,150 million litres. In
Wales water usage is heavily affected by the tourism industry. During the summer months
we play host to some 10 million touring visitors each year and about 4 million holiday
numbers stay here for longer periods.
However, we know you want us to make sure that we don’t take any more water from the
environment than we need to. We are firmly committed to water conservation and
promoting water efficiency.
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Forecasting for the future
You may ask why are we committed to water conservation, given that during recent
winters we experienced some of the heaviest rainfall since records began. However, the
broader picture is that continuous rainfall keeps our reservoirs healthy in the short term
but, there are other changing circumstances which need to be addressed. Such as
population growth and the increase in average water use. With today’s modern lifestyles
we see water usage rising substantially. We take more baths, and more households
have washing machines and dishwashers which means that we are using considerably
more water than a quarter of a century ago. For instance in the mid 1970’s each person
used, on average 110 litres(24 gallons) a day. Today that figure has risen to over 140
litres (30 gallons) a day. If the current trend continues we could each be using 160 litres
(35 gallons) a day by 2020.
As concerns for the environment in Wales grow it is right that all of us should think more
carefully of how we use water, and we each have a part to play.
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has been able to reduce
the risk of water shortage by the careful
management of our resource systems, the
reservoirs, river abstractions and boreholes so
that we can cope with drought conditions without
needing to use drought orders to make
abstractions from the natural environment. We
also manage carefully our supply and distribution
systems to minimise waste and maximise
efficiency in the use of water in delivering water to
our customers. Part of our water resources plan is
to promote sensible water use by our customers
through encouraging efficient use of water.
Daily usage of water and forecast for the future
160 litres (35 gallons)
140 litres (30 gallons)
110 litres (24 gallons)
1970’s
2001
2020
Keeping Leakage Down
We do make better use of our resources by reducing
leakage from our distribution system. Leakage levels are
affected by a number of factors including the length,
age and condition of the water mains network and the
operating climatic and ground conditions. Significant
improvements have been achieved through round the
clock monitoring by our repair teams, who quickly fix
thousands of leaks every year, whenever or wherever
they happen. Over a five year period (between 19952000) we managed to reduce leakage by 30% .
You can help us too. Please let us know if you spot a leak by calling our leakline
on 0800 281 432. Our leak detection teams promise to respond within 24 Hours.
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Free Repair Schemes
As part of our commitment to reducing leakage we also offer an incentive to customers
to help combat the problem. For instance, although home owners are responsible for
their part of the service pipe between our stop tap and their home, we will repair a leak
on the home owner’s part of the property free of charge. For further information please
ring us on freephone 0800 052 0130.
Street boundary
Supply pipe
Your responsibility
Our responsibility
Water main
Why not opt for a meter?
Switching to a water meter could save you water and money. Installing a meter at your
property will normally be free of charge. Why not telephone our meter installation help
line on freephone
0800 052 0145 for further information.
Water Use in the Home
Where does the water go?
Using the outside tap 3%
Flushing the toilet 33%
Using the kitchen sink 16%
Taking a bath 13%
Using the washing machine
and dishwasher 22%
Taking a shower 4%
Using the handbasin 9%
Water wise in the bathroom
We can each do our bit to save water in the bathroom by following these suggestions.
Should you take a bath or a shower?
You can save time and water by taking a shower. If you take a bath you could use up to
80 litres (18 gallons) of water. Whereas with a shower you are likely to only use around
30 litres (7 gallons).
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Using the handbasin
When you’re washing your
hands make sure you put the
plug in the handbasin and
don’t leave the tap running.
A running tap can use up to 9
litres of water per minute.
If you leave the tap running
when you’re cleaning your
teeth you can waste a lot of
water. Turn the tap off when
you’re cleaning your teeth,
and rinse out at the end with
a beaker of water.
Flushing the toilet
Over a third of the water used goes down the toilet – typically each flush uses between
7 and 9 litres of water. Customers may benefit from installing a special water saving
device for the cistern which reduces the amount of water used whilst still clearing the
pan. Currently we offer the ‘Hippo’ saving device which will be of particular benefit in
older larger cisterns. We are offering a ‘Hippo’ device to every customer that requests
one. If you’d like to request one please ring us on freephone 0800 052 0145.
Water wise in the kitchen
Washing machines and dishwashers
A washing machine uses up to 80 litres of water per cycle whether its full or not, and a
dishwasher between 22 and 35 litres per cycle. When replacing your old machines
consider choosing an ECO “water efficient” model. Make sure that your dishwasher or
washing machine is full every time you use it.
Washing up
Never rinse dishes under a running tap, always use a washing up bowl when you’re
washing up. Its also useful to use your washing up water in the summer to water your
plants. Dishwater that contains washing up liquid is an effective deterrent against
greenfly.
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Cleaning and peeling fruit and vegetables
Never clean and peel your vegetables under a running
tap. If you do this you are running clean water down the
plughole. Put the plug in the sink instead – if you soak
your vegetables they become easier to peel.
Boiling the kettle
Only boil as much water as you
need for making your tea,
coffee or for cooking. If you
fill your kettle to the brim
every time you boil water
you’ll end up wasting
electricity as well as water.
Top tips for conserving
water in the home
We work hard to reduce leakage on our distribution system – you can help by
reducing your leakage in the home.
Dripping taps
Most dripping taps only need a new washer to fix the problem. Dripping taps can
lose up to 31,500 litres per year – more than one bathful a week.
Frost protection
Make sure that all the pipework and water tanks both inside and outside the house
are adequately lagged. Cold winters can cause your unprotected pipes to freeze
and the thaw could cause flooding in your property, if your tanks and pipes aren’t
insulated.
Overflows
Check all overflows to ensure they are not running unnecessarily.
Watering your garden
The garden can be the place where we use most water. A sprinkler can use up to
1,000 litres of water in just one hour – that’s 220 gallons, more that a family will use
in two days inside the house.
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